Category Archives: Community

Small Business Spotlight: Ravenwood Castle

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Being a small business owner is a tough job. That’s why we spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard. Today we’re visiting Ravenwood Castle in Vinton County. 

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The Great Hall of Ravenwood Castle is a popular destination for weddings, gaming conferences, romantic dinners and more!

If you want to get away from your daily life, Ravenwood Castle offers a unique getaway to guests who seek solace and beauty close to home. Ravenwood is one of Ohio’s most talked about lodging places and is just a few miles outside of McArthur.

The design of Ravenwood was inspired by English castles of the twelfth century but only opened for business in 1995. Its location in the Hocking Hills region provides a beautiful wooded setting and sense of isolation that is craved by many who seek relaxation. Yet it’s close enough to other Hocking Hills attractions including state parks, shopping and dining to be convenient for those who wish to strike out for some adventure.

Owners Jim and Pam Reed purchased Ravenwood in 2012 after visiting many times since the mid- nineties. Jim’s twenty years of business experience are put to work managing operations while Pam’s knack for event planning and guest relations have brought new life to the facility.

“This is a great place to get away and to relax. The castle is all about putting the technology down and talking to each other. There’s no WIFI here and there are no tvs in most of the rooms. My kids actually play together and have a great time when we’re here and we hear often that guests like that they can relax and be themselves here. You don’t have to be dressed up. We just want you to feel at home,” she said.

Guests can choose from several lodging options including a Castle suite, a cottage in a medieval village or cabin in Huntsman’s Hollow. All are well appointed and designed with the privacy and comfort of the guest in mind. Guests are treated to breakfast in the Castle’s Great Hall every morning.

Pam noted that the public can enjoy a buffet dinner by reservation most Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, Raven’s Roost Pub provides great atmosphere with a menu of pub fare and selection of hand crafted beers, wines and mixed drinks. It is open most Friday and Saturday nights.

She also discussed the success Ravenwood has enjoyed with a variety of events. She said Murder Mystery Weekends are scripted specifically for Ravenwood and are held, not just for an evening, but for an entire weekend. The experience begins with an email prior to arrival and clues left in the rooms when guests check-in.  Activities take place throughout the weekend until the identity of the murderer is learned on Sunday. “It’s written exclusively for us. You can’t get this experience anywhere else and I think that’s why we have so many repeat guests. People love it so much they come back time after time,” Pam said.

Ravenwood also hosts events throughout the year including beer and wine tastings, a Tudor Christmas and a celebration of Edgar Allen Poe’s birthday. In recent years they have hosted gaming events including a summer gaming convention called Con in the Castle. This event features three days and two nights of gaming activities related to role playing and board games.

Their Hoop and Stick Con is a winter weekend of gaming fun and fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. This year, Ravenwood is on track to donate $10,000 to this charity which benefits Children’s Hospital. Pam said that she and her husband have been supporters of Children’s Hospital since their newborn child required some care at Children’s several years ago. “They were so wonderful, especially for first time parents. We’ve just always wanted to give back and realized that we could use this place to pay it forward,” she said.

Those planning weddings should note that Ravenwood also offers a number of wedding packages that range from a wedding of fifty inside the castle to a 150 person outdoor wedding.

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Pam added that they see many repeat guests and that the staff works hard to make every guest want to come back. “Our goal always is to make sure our guests have the best experience they can.  And we always ask ourselves how what we are doing will impact our guests. We have an amazing staff and wonderful innkeepers. They work like a team and it’s truly amazing how much they get done,” Pam said.

The Reeds are continually making improvements at Ravenwood and she indicated their work is not done. “We’ve been working to improve the property. Refurbishing the rooms has been an ongoing process and we plan to continue working on projects and investing in the property,” she noted. “This has been such an experience, truly a leap of faith, but it has been so rewarding to see it pay off.”

Ravenwood Castle operates every day of the year except for Wednesday and Thursday for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The public is welcome to visit the public areas of the Castle during the day. Ravenwood is located just off St. Rt. 93 at 65666 Bethel Rd., New Plymouth. Call 740.596.2606, click here to visit their website, or here to follow them on Facebook.

 

 

 

VCNB Gives Back

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Sunday was World Kindness Day and, as a community bank, we think that’s kind of a big deal. In fact, the idea of being good to our customers, employees and communities is something we embrace every day.

We try to be a good corporate citizen and to lead by example, supporting as many community functions as we can across all the communities where we do business. Since our footprint has expanded a lot during our 149 year lifetime, the area where we try to do good is also expanding. From as far south as our hometown in Vinton County up through Logan, Lancaster and Chillicothe to Grove City and all points in between, we donate money and time to countless community and school groups.

This year we expect to spend more than $220,000 in our local communities!

We also reward our employees for their volunteer efforts. In an average year, our employees collectively donate several hundred hours each year to organizations close to their hearts. Animal shelters, food pantries, school events and countless community events benefit from the generosity of our wonderful employees who like to help out where they can.

During the holidays we like to spotlight some local groups that need public support and give our customers the opportunity to help out as well. Throughout the month of November we’ll be collecting donations for the following:

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Thanks to Dollar General of McArthur for kicking off their coat drive with a big donation of coats, hats and gloves for kids. Rachel Hoyt, Carol Faber and Heather Ramey are pictured with a few of those items!  

Vinton County National Bank in McArthur – Monetary donations will be collected for the Vinton County Local Schools Backpack Program. New and gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves will also be accepted for kids in need in Vinton County schools.

 

Vinton County National Bank in Wilkesville – Monetary donations will be collected for the Vinton County Local Schools Backpack Program.

Hocking Hills Banking Center in Logan – Monetary and donations of items will be collected for the Hocking County Humane Society. Click here for more info. 

Salt Creek Banking Center in Laurelville – Monetary donations will be collected for the local Backpack Program.

Ross County Banking Centers in Chillicothe – Monetary donations will be collected for the Good Sam Food Pantry.

Ross County Banking Center in Richmond Dale – Monetary donations will be collected for the Mission Family Ministries and Goshen Run.

Pickaway County Banking Center in Circleville – Monetary donations will be collected for Emergency Clearing House Association of Pickaway County.

Pickaway County Banking Center in Ashville – Monetary donations will be collected for local Backpack Program.

Pickaway County Banking Center in Commercial Point – Bank will purchase canned goods for a local church at Thanksgiving and will also participate in Secret Santa at the church.

Friendly Bremen Banking Centers in Lancaster and Bremen – Monetary and non-perishable food donations will be collected for local food pantries.

Friendly Bremen Banking Center in Pataskala – Monetary donations will be collected for a local food pantry.

Canal Banking Center in Canal Winchester – Bank will accept monetary donations for the Canal Winchester Food Pantry.

Franklin County Banking Center in Grove City – Bank will accept monetary donations and packages of new men’s and women’s socks for Socks For Soldiers.

 

If you’re in the area and would like to help out a local organization, we hope you will stop by a branch and make a donation. The bank will also contribute funds to each of the organizations we are spotlighting this holiday season.  All of these collection efforts are for good causes and we are excited to help them!

 

Small Business Spotlight: Rushcreek Feed & Supply

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Being a small business owner is a tough job. That’s why we spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard.

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Rushcreek Feed & Supply is a landmark in Bremen that has been evolving to meet the needs of customers for over fifty years.

“You have to change with the times,” Rushcreek Feed & Supply owner Bob Pontious repeated.  “You have to.”

This gentleman would know. He has weathered much change in his business, his town and the economy for over five decades. In 1961, Bob and four other Bremen area farmers partnered to purchase the Brown-Burnworth Company, which included office space and a mill that operated out of facilities constructed in the mid and late 1800’s.  The five farmers organized and began operating what is now known as Rushcreek Feed & Supply, a mill that processes and creates seed and mix for the agricultural community.

The business has seen various incarnations of the ownership group but Bob, who just celebrated his 92nd birthday, has remained the only constant and is the sole owner to this day.  His business has continuously evolved, installing new machinery, adopting new processes, and acquiring property to allow growth and efficiency, allowing them to stand out as a staple in rural small town living.

Bremen has seen much change during the last several decades and much of the change has resulted in loss. Bob said that several auto dealers have come and gone and the rail system that once rolled within ten feet of Rushcreek Feed’s building has disappeared.   The cheese factory that existed years ago that was supplied by local dairy farms is long gone.  The number of dairy farms in the area has dwindled from thirty or forty in the 1960’s and 70’s to just two. The number of local hog farms is now down to about ten.  As more folks have moved toward green farming and the landscape of the agricultural industry changes, the needs of the customer have changed.  “It used to be cattle, chickens, and pigs.  Everything was operated by hand,” Manager Terry Bell said matter-of-factly.  “But you have to meet the needs of your clientele.  You really have to diversify.”

“We used to have folks bring in truckloads or trailers of whole ears of corn, which we’d unload by shovel or hand.”  Terry explained.  “Now there’s a hoist and dump pit.  We used to bag feed by hand in 100 pound bags.  That was it – that was all we had.  But we’ve installed a bagging system for 50 pound bags.”

By streamlining seemingly simple processes and taking the “work smarter” approach, Terry says Rushcreek Feed and Supply has been able to expand their facilities, services and offerings.  For example, a warehouse was constructed and a neighboring plot of land was purchased, which included several buildings that now serve as workshops and storage for equipment and inventory.  The old mill was just redone this summer, and within the last five years they’ve added to their custom fertilization capabilities with a new truck and a new sprayer.  Last summer, they installed seventy foot scales to better accommodate semis upon weighing in/out.  Their secret Rushcreek Deer Plot Mix was created and is a hit for deer season, with customers from as far as Pennsylvania and New York ordering regularly.  And recently, they became a licensed dealer for “The Stump,” a long-window weather resistant hunting blind by Banks Outdoors.  As only one of a handful of dealers in the state, they actually keep them in stock so they are ready to go out the door upon purchase.  Terry said that none of this would be possible without their expanded facilities.  “We were running out of room.”

The expansion and rock-steady quality service are due in large part to a great group of people working for their team, Terry said.  “We’ve got our locals (customers).  But we’ve also got people from Franklin, Licking, Meigs, Athens, Muskingum Counties that are regulars.”   Customers are getting quality products, but it’s the quality service from the twelve Rushcreek Feed & Supply employees that make the sustained success possible.  “It works because we’ve got a great staff” Terry added.

If you’d like to visit Rushcreek Feed & Supply, they’re located at 103 S. Broad Street in Bremen, just across the parking lot from our Friendly Bremen Banking Center.  They can be contacted at 740.569.4105 and can be found on Facebook and at their own website  http://www.rushcreekfeed.com/.

See more images from our visit to Rushcreek Feed & Supply in the slideshow below.

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Community Spotlight: Camp Oty’Okwa

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Camp Oty’Okwa is located in the heart of the Hocking Hills region and provides both solace and adventure for young campers and adult visitors alike.

You can tell a lot about a place by the sounds it makes. At first Camp Oty’Okwa seems quiet. There are no cars whizzing by and no dogs barking. Instead, there’s wind rustling in the trees, birds chattering and the distant sound of locusts coming together to create a chorus of summer. But leave the parking lot and walk closer to the camp and you’ll hear music and laughter: the happy, carefree sounds of children at summer camp.

For some kids who attend camp here, it’s a life changing experience they will never forget. Built in 1942, the camp began as a 165 acre farm that was operated by Big Brothers Big Sisters, primarily to serve the sons of soldiers lost in World War II.  Today the camp is 730 acres and offers a year-round experience for boys and girls. In addition to regular summer camp, there are camps with varying focuses including Science Camp, Grief Camp, Literacy Camp, Seasonal Environmental Education and Girls Week.

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Summer camp provides lots of opportunities to make new friends!

David Schirner began his career here as a lifeguard in 1971. Today he serves as Camp Director and Executive Vice President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. “I started as a lifeguard and I just never left,” David said with an easy laugh.

He explained there are many things that make this place unique. To start, it is one of only two remaining Big Brothers Big Sisters camps left in the United States. Moreover, Camp Oty’Okwa gives kids the opportunity to experience and explore nature in the breathtaking natural environment of the Hocking Hills where rock outcrops, woodlands and hiking trails abound. At camp, they make new friends and learn lots of skills including how to work with others and even how to deal with adversity.

At regular summer camp, structure exists mainly at mealtimes and there is no set program for the rest of the day. Instead, kids live and play in a setting where a small group and counselor decide what to do each day, considering the needs, interests and limitations of each child in the group. Hiking, swimming, art projects, bird watching and canoeing are just a few of the possibilities. The day VCNB visited, a large group was enjoying a spirited session of Zumba.

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David Schirner, pictured here with kids at Holiday Camp, is Camp Director and Executive Vice President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.

Cathy Knoop serves as Business Development Coordinator for Camp Oty’Okwa and her devotion to camp shows in the hugs she happily accepts and the interest she takes in what the kids are doing. “They learn to compromise and to work with others. Sometimes a member of the group has a physical limitation and the others have an opportunity to learn empathy and compassion because that child isn’t great at what the others want to do,” Cathy explained.

David said the camp has evolved over the decades to suit the needs of the kids. It began serving kids who lost dads in the war but by the sixties, the camp was evolving as divorce and single parent homes became more common. “The challenge has been changing, adapting to the needs of families and remaining current through 2016. A lot of what we do is social work,” David said.

He indicated that many kids are referred by schools and organizations locally and across Ohio while other children attend simply because they desire a camp experience.

David said that a fair number of campers are from the immediate area. “We’ve found from working with kids in this area that local kids need this place as much as city kids. We are finding they just don’t get outside much. They’re playing video games and watching tv as much as any other kid in America despite having nature so close,” he said.

Cathy and her husband Paul have volunteered at the camp for about six years. Now retired, Paul was Education Director at Aullwood Audubon Nature Center and Cathy was an elementary science teacher. “My husband and I volunteer here because we enjoy getting to know the kids, teaching them, seeing them grow up and being part of their lives,” she said. “Environmental education is important to us and we enjoy sharing that.”

They extend environmental education into all areas of the camp including through a recycling and composting program that prevents most waste. They also buy locally produced food at the Chesterhill Produce Auction as much as possible.

David said there is much work that needs done to keep the camp operating. “We are here to be good stewards for the property and to send kids to camp,” he said. “We have a strategic plan designed to make facility improvements and to keep this camp running for another seventy years. Fortunately, we have a lot of amazing people who like this place and who are willing to give of themselves and to provide funding to send kids to camp. We couldn’t do it without them,” he added.

One of the newest additions to the camp is the Discovery Center. The dining hall is located inside and the walls are lined with stations that use artwork and interactive pieces to teach about the area’s native plants and animals, about recycling and a number of other topics. Outside the building there is a pond, native garden and a compost station.

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The camp hosts many events that are open to the public. Michelle Stitzlein will give a presentation on art inspired by nature with recycled materials on November 13, 2016. Tickets for the presentation including soup, salad bar and dessert cost just $20 but advance registration is required at http://www.campotyokwa.org.

All this work is not just for campers. Camp Oty’Okwa encourages community involvement through community events and hikes, school group visits, adult education workshops for teachers and naturalists and a host of other events. For a fee, they also teach adult education classes like one on preserving produce and even a weekend survival workshop. Their next free Community Hike will be on October 1. Reserve your spot for this or learn about other events by contacting Al Marietta at amarietta@bbbscentralohio.org or by calling 740-975-6384. Click here for a full list of upcoming events.

Organizations and businesses that need retreat or conference space often use the camp as well. Facilities, food and programming are available for small groups of up to twenty and large groups up to 200.

Volunteers are welcome for trail repair, camp winterization and other project work days. The public is also encouraged to attend events at the camp and cash donations are always appreciated. “We value our community and the partnerships we have here.  The volunteers, the donors, the wonderful people who support what we do. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Camp Oty’Okwa is located at 24799 Purcell Rd., just a few miles from the Old Man’s Cave Visitors’ Center.  Click here for more information.

Click through the slide show below for more images from Camp Oty’Okwa.

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Small Business Spotlight: Hillside Country Store

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Being a small business owner is a tough job. That’s why we spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard.

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Hillside Country Store offers an array of baked goods, bulk food items, wind chimes, wood furniture, candles, outdoor furniture and much more.

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Hillside Country Store carries seasonal bedding plants, vegetable plants and other supplies to help both the advanced and novice gardener. They currently have a selection of fall mums.

The owner of Hillside Country Store calls his business “an old fashioned store in the middle of God’s country.” Perched on a hill overlooking St. Rt. 180, Hillside is close to Adelphi and not far from Lancaster, Chillicothe or the Hocking Hills State Park. The store smells divine and is a feast for the eyes, nose and taste buds, making it worth the drive into the country.

It is a family run business where the employees are friendly and helpful and many of the customers are regulars. Owner Michael Martin says he opened the store in September 2014 “because the Lord gave me mostly girls and it made a lot of sense.” He grew up in Wisconsin where his father runs a bulk food store but he married a Zanesville girl and moved to Ohio where his own store is filling a real need in the rural community.

Hillside is packed with all sorts of goodies including bulk snacks, candy making supplies, baking and cooking ingredients. Jams, jellies, salsas, pickled foods and maple syrup are popular as well.  An extensive deli offers approximately 35 different kinds of cheeses and at least that many kinds of meats. A popular service of the deli is the made-to-order sandwiches which are delicious and generous in portion. Being close to the Tar Hollow and Hocking Hills State Parks, it’s a good place to pick up sandwiches, cold drinks and snacks for a picnic. Soft serve ice cream makes a delicious treat for a hot day too.

What gives the store its heavenly aroma is the bakery which produces fresh bread daily as well as homemade pies and cookies like the popular Monster Cookie which is packed full of peanut butter, molasses, oatmeal, chocolate chips and M&M candies.

They welcome large orders for weddings and other events and are able to produce large amounts of baked goods as well as meat and cheese trays.

Practical items also line the walls including sewing notions, canning supplies, dish towels, books, bird houses, feeders and bulk bird seed.  An extensive line of poly yard and deck furniture offers maintenance free swings, Adirondack chairs and dining tables and chairs.

In addition, they offer a popular line of gift items like scented candles, windchimes and oak furniture which Michael pointed out are good for any occasion but are especially popular Christmas and Mother’s Day gifts. Backyard gardeners will find hanging baskets, bedding plants, vegetable plants and other seasonal flowers. They currently have a nice assortment of fall mums and Michael said there will be even more in stock soon.

Michael said his family has enjoyed running this business and that he looks forward to the future. “We’re enjoying it. It’s nice to live near the place where you work and we are growing,” he said. In fact, he said they expect to soon add fried pies to the menu, an addition he believes customers will enjoy.

Hillside Market is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They accept cash and plastic and welcome new customers to stop in. Call them at 740.655.3600 or visit them at 10244 St. Rt. 180, Laurelville.

See below for more pictures.

Community Spotlight: Fairfield Area Humane Society

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The Fairfield Area Humane Society is always in need of volunteers and donations including the items pictured outside their building. VCNB employees from our Friendly Bremen Banking Centers donated supplies during a recent facility tour.

If you want to find a group of people whose work is a true labor of love, stop by the Fairfield Area Humane Society and take a look around. This tight-knit community of employees and volunteers is dedicated to protecting the rights of animals and helping them find permanent, loving homes. It grows every year, adding services that help pet owners and growing adoption services to help neglected and abused animals. Much of that work happens because the community supports the cause they champion every day.

“Everything we do is possible with help from the community!” exclaimed Corey Schoonover, Executive Director at the Fairfield Area Humane Society.  “We’ve got seven employees, and some great volunteers.”

Though some may only view the facility as simply a place to drop off or adopt an animal and others consider it similar to a retail pet store, it’s important to realize that there is much more happening than meets the eye. “You could look at that part as retail, but it’s retail with a heartbeat.  And this is so much more.  For those unfamiliar, we do an amazing amount of work.”

Here’s just a portion of services that Fairfield Area Humane Society offers:

  • A monthly spay/neuter clinic (partnering with The RASCAL Unit)
  • Quarterly vaccine clinic
  • Flea treatments
  • Stray cat Trap-Neuter-Return services (which has grown to service over 1,500 cats in the last two years alone)
  • Investigations on animal cruelty complaints (which was solely responsible for over 30,000 miles traveled in 2015).

All of these activities occur in addition to the well-known adoption services, which grew to over 800 animals last year. “Adoptees come from all around, not just Fairfield County.  All over Ohio, from Columbus to Toledo to Cincinnati.  We’ve even had adoptions from the Northeast US, like Conneticut!” Corey explained.

Along with growing adoptions and services, the facility continues to grow. For example, in late 2014, the Humane Society constructed a new dog park, dramatically increasing the traffic coming in the facility’s front door and providing a much needed service to pet owners. “It’s become a great marketing tool for us.” Corey said.  “We used to have five, six visitors a day coming in.  But just in the last ten minutes, we’ve had four.  And the park isn’t just here for the new pet owners that come in, but for current pet owners.  Sometimes we’ll hear someone say they have to give up their animal because they moved into smaller living arrangements or because they just don’t have enough room to play.  But we hate to see that as their solution.  So this is a solution for those in that situation too,” he added.

Another important new addition to the grounds is the Barney Wears Memorial Building, a newly erected quarantine facility located behind the main building.  It officially opened on April 1 and provides space for new animals to be inspected and reside while being administered proper medications.  Animals that are too young to be adopted or those from animal cruelty cases may be housed here for a period of time as well.  In fact, 32 cats were just placed in the new building from one seizure in the last week.

“The costs for the services we offer continue to rise and have increased by nearly four times in the last six years.  And our facilities have been improved and expanded,” Corey said noting that the staff and payroll have not increased.  “So it’s really the great community support we have that has allowed us to expand our services and facilities.”

“One of our goals is that our adoption fees recoup the cost of the medical bills.  We’d love it to work out that way, but it doesn’t.  The costs are enormous.  But the ultimate goal is doing what’s best for the animal and keeping them in good homes, and unfortunately it isn’t free.  We’re so thankful for the support,” he added.

Volunteers are not only accepted, they are encouraged as they play a key role in the generous community support that Corey praises.   That’s why VCNB employees consistently donate their time to this non-profit, and even serve or have served on their board. In fact, Corey and his staff hosted nearly 20 of our employees on a sunny Wednesday morning to share a little bit about what they do. They also shared how the Friendly Bremen Banking Center and VCNB financial family have been instrumental in their growth.

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While touring the facility, our employees donated items on the Humane Society’s list of critical need, which includes things not generally considered top-of-mind when donating to an animal shelter or humane society.  These items included paper towels, bleach and HE laundry detergent, dish soap, hand sanitizer, Pine-Sol and kitty litter.

The work for this staff of seven goes far beyond working directly with the animals and is clearly a labor of love. In fact, you’ll often see the Humane Society crew out and about around Fairfield County, sharing information and drumming up membership and support.  In one week in July, they were on hand at the Lancaster Festival’s Art Walk and Festival Fair Day, hosting the aforementioned group of VCNB employees, doing interviews, and filming TV segments for a television station in Central Ohio.

This week, they will host their annual WOOFSTOCK event at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.  This two day event features a family fun and adoption event on Saturday, August 6 from 11am-8pm. The public is encouraged to attend and the day will feature fun for all ages, including live music, inflatables, laser tag, raffles, food and craft vendors, and wiener dog races.  Most importantly, adoptable dogs needing homes will be on hand.  On Sunday, August 7 from 11am-4pm, they’re hosting day two of Woofstock, which is a low cost vaccination clinic featuring $10 vaccines, $15 micro-chips, $5 nail trims, and $10 dog baths.

To find out more about the Fairfield Area Humane Society, Woofstock, visit them online at www.fairhumane.org or visit them on Facebook. Here you’ll also find pictures of pets available for adoption.

Click here to learn how you can help including information on  or more information on membership or volunteering.

Small Business Spotlight: JT’s Auto and Truck Glass

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Being a small business owner is a tough job. That’s why we spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard.

Have you ever been driving down the road only to have a rock fly up and hit your windshield?  Did it leave a small chip that you think is too minor to fix?  Well, JT Thacker of JT’s Auto and Truck Glass thinks you should fix it before the problem gets bigger.

JT should know as he has been working on cars and trucks since the before the age of 18.  Much of that time was in auto body collision repair and specializing in working with big trucks.  In 2006 he began doing glass replacement and windshield repairs part-time and found that he enjoyed that aspect of the business very much.  He said he loves being able to satisfy the customers with a completed job in a shorter time and being there for customers when they needed him.

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JT and Angela Thacker are pictured standing alongside one of the mobile chip repair vehicles they use for their business JT’s Auto and Truck Glass in Chillicothe.

With the help of his wife Angela, he decided to take the business full time in 2008.  Based in Chillicothe, the business has grown over the past eight years to serve Greenfield, Circleville, Waverly, and all areas in between.  Now JT, along with a staff of two additional technicians, offers service for all vehicle makes and models as well as heavy equipment for private owners, commercial and fleet vehicles.

The work they do includes glass replacement for windshields, windows and sunroofs and on-site repair of window cracks, chips, bull’s eyes and stars.  They also provide Aquapel glass treatments to repel rain from your windshield and on-site diagnosis for window operation issues.

Working with insurance companies can sometimes be daunting for the consumer but JT will work with all insurance companies to take the hassle out of the equation and make auto glass claims a little easier for you.  All you do is make the initial call and they do the rest!

JT said he loves what he does.  “I have found the best way to serve the community and make a living,” he said.

To learn more about JT’s Auto Glass call JT at 740.703.3922, visit their website                       or check out their Facebook page.

 

VCNB Offers The Scoop On Scams

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Ice cream cone with extra scoops.jpgIt seems like scams are everywhere these days. From people knocking at your front door to threatening phone calls and harassing emails, it feels like there is constantly someone looking to swindle innocent people out of their money. Sadly, millions of Americans fall prey to scams every year.

That’s why we will host “Get the Scoop on Scams,” an informational session for senior citizens later this month. Jane Nickels, the Branch Manager of our McArthur office said her staff sees great need for this kind of education in the community. “Scams are everywhere and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Sometimes it’s hard to know who to trust and, as we get older, we are more likely to be targeted. We want to prepare seniors in our community with as much knowledge as we can,” Nickels explained.

This informational session will be held at the Vinton County Senior Citizens Center at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 21. Registration is required and senior citizens may enjoy a tasty lunch for a donation to the Senior Center. Following the talk, the bank will have a free ice cream sundae bar for everyone to enjoy.

To take part, contact Rhoda at 740.596.4706 to guarantee your spot.

 

 

Small Business Spotlight: Loose Rail Brewing

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Being a small business owner is a tough job. That’s why we spotlight a different business each month to help you learn about unique businesses in your own back yard.

Loose Rail - LogoThere’s a new business coming to Canal Winchester that has been generating excitement since it was announced last year. That’s when we learned the number one craft beer maker in the United Kingdom will construct its USA headquarters in Canal Winchester. While Brewdog’s new 40-acre campus is a few months from opening, we thought craft beer aficionados and small business enthusiasts would enjoy learning about another much anticipated local brewery prepping to open in the heart of Canal Winchester.

Nathan and Kelley Doerfler, owners of the Canal Winchester landmark Harvest Moon Craft Kitchen and the Garden Herb Shop, originally intended to expand Harvest Moon to a second location but plans changed when another opportunity presented itself. Approximately 18 months ago, the plans shifted toward building a brewery. In a whirlwind time period for the couple and with help from the Canal Banking Center, the perfect location – a former power substation for a rail line that ran until the early 1900s – was targeted and purchased.

Joined by business partners Jonathan Woodruff and Dennis Smalley, the newly minted “Loose Rail Brewing” operation began to take form. The building is located just walking distance from Harvest Moon in downtown Canal Winchester.  What this means for the brewery is that while they won’t have a full kitchen and menu  in the beginning, they will offer a food shuttle service from the Harvest Moon for limited menu items.

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Loose Rail will be a seven barrel brew house, with four fermenters, a taproom, a patio, a bar, and first and second floor seating.  Five beer recipes are being brewed – the craft brew standard India Pale Ale, a Session IPA, an Amber, a Pilsner, and a Stout.  Nathan said it was important to offer something for everyone.  Loose Rail hopes to separate itself by being created as a family-friendly space, in which families large and small can stop in to listen to live music on the weekends, host gatherings, and bring food in to sit outside on the patio to enjoy an evening open-air dining.

The excitement is growing and the promotion of the brewery is well underway.  Buzz is growing on social media and merchandise and apparel are being printed and sold at Harvest Moon.  They’ve already been featured in Columbus CEO magazine, The Dispatch, Columbus Underground, and Columbus Business Monthly.  They also are being added to various Ohio beer trail maps and look forward to bridging the gap between Central Ohio breweries and the growing craft brew hotbed that is Southern and Southeastern Ohio.

The old railroad building at 37 Waterloo Street is really starting to take a life of its own as Loose Rail Brewing and though adding a brewery to their business portfolio has been an exciting process so far, it hasn’t all gone smoothly.  Nathan says Loose Rail was originally targeted to open this summer but an overwhelming amount of nationwide permit requests within The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has caused the opening to be delayed.  It’s now tentatively slated to open on Labor Day Weekend but, at this point, they are playing a waiting game as it’s out of their hands.  The good news?  There are a host of people anticipating the grand opening, anxiously awaiting the official announcement.  “This community has been really supportive and there is a lot of excitement for this,” Nathan says.  “We can’t wait to get going!”

Click here to visit them on Facebook! 

 

 

Community Spotlight: Vinton County Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market

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Hang around the Vinton County Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market long enough and it starts to feel like old home week. That’s because in a small community like McArthur, everyone knows everyone else and the folks are friendly. They’re also grateful to have a place in the county seat to buy fresh produce and plants.

Since the county’s only grocery store closed in 2013, Vinton County residents have been forced to shop outside the county in neighboring Logan, Jackson, Wellston, Chillicothe and Athens or to piece together their groceries from local dollar stores, carry-out stores and gas stations that sell some grocery items. The Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market offers an opportunity to purchase locally grown, fresh produce on a seasonal basis.

Market Coordinator Bob Rannells admits the Market is small, averaging just a handful of vendors each week, but says they work hard to keep up with customer demand. In fact, he says the demand for fresh produced is so high he supplements Vinton County grown produce with more from a network of growers that stretches from Bremen down to the Ohio River.

On the day VCNB visited, there was a steady stream of shoppers – some hurrying in for something specific and others just stopping by to see what was available that day, most of them taking a moment to chat. There was a mother with young daughters selecting flowers for a landscaping project as well as a man whose wife sent him for a head of cabbage.

Bedding Plants
Pretty Flowers
Handmade Wood Items
Choosing Flowers
Shopping for Veggies
Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market
Fresh Veggies
Fresh Veggies
Fresh Veggies

When asked why people frequent the Market, Rannells listed some rather compelling reasons. “The most important reason for most people is that everything is grown locally and is fresh. Sometimes the tomatoes are picked that morning. They’re never shipped from someplace else. They’re picked fresh right here in Vinton County,” Rannells explained.

In the case of bedding plants and vegetable plants, these items are taxable. “The tax dollars are collected and paid to Vinton County. So that money stays here locally,” he explained.

Another perk is that the vendor can provide tips on care of a plant as well as ideas for how to store or prepare food items. “We try to gauge those kinds of comments with the age of a buyer and how knowledgeable they seem to be with what they’re buying. Most older buyers don’t need us to tell them how to store a tomato. Sometimes a buyer appreciates a bit of information. And of course, they’re always welcome to ask,” he said. “We try to take the opportunity to talk to them about the plant, talk about where to plant, about water and fertilizer, and about non chemical pest controls.”

Rannells is a teacher and experienced farmer who takes pride in the market and the opportunities afforded to customers and growers. “We understand that the more we do to educate our buyers, the more likely they are to return,” he explained.

In addition to produce and plants, customers may sometimes find fresh eggs, Amish baked goods and hand crafted items. Margret and Danny Bapst sell handmade wooden items including bird boxes, wooden crates and custom items like picnic tables. Their wooden crates, made with hardwoods like Oak, Poplar, Hickory, Red Oak and White Oak, are attractive and sturdy enough to stand on, as Margret demonstrated. She pointed out that wooden crates sold in Big Box stores are made with Pine and are not sturdy or durable. They even make custom crates, featuring the logos of favorite sports teams. She indicated they can even customize with local high school logos including a Viking for Vinton County.  To have a custom piece made, customers can find them at the Market on Saturday or can call 740.384.0701 for information.

Rannells hopes to continue growing the Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market. “We welcome new vendors and encourage them to come back as often as they can,” he said. “We also encourage individuals who maybe just grew too much in their garden to come sell with us too. If you have produce that you can’t use, that will just go bad, why not bring it to the Farmers and Crafters Market to offer to sell,” Rannells asked.

The Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market is free to vendors but every vendor must have their own insurance. If you are thinking about being a vendor, Rannells recommends contacting your insurance agent to confirm that your homeowner’s policy will suffice.

The Vinton County Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market is open during the growing season in the parking lot on the East side of the Vinton County Courthouse from 9 a.m. to noon as well as at the Hamden Methodist Church on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.